Portulaca plant named ‘LAZPRT1703’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct portulaca plant having yellow-orange and white bicolored, star-patterned flowers.

Botanical classification: Portulaca umbraticola Kunth.

Varietal denomination: ‘LAZPRT1703’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of portulaca plant known by the varietal name ‘LAZPRT1703’. The new variety is the result of a planned breeding program with the purpose of developing a portulaca variety with a novel bicolored flower pattern. ‘LAZPRT1703’ was created via a cross conducted in the Summer of 2010 in Merano, Italy between an unnamed and unpatented Portulaca umbraticola Kunth variety from the breeder's proprietary breeding line 09/116-6 (female parent) and an unnamed and unpatented Portulaca umbraticola Kunth variety (male parent) having white and yellow bicolored, star-patterned flowers. The new variety was selected in the spring of 2011 in Merano, Italy and the first asexual reproduction of the new variety was conducted by cuttings in the spring of 2012 in Merano, Italy. ‘LAZPRT1703’ has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successive propagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

‘LAZPRT1703’ is similar to its female parent in its bicolored star flower pattern, but the pattern of ‘LAZPRT1703’ has better contrast (yellow-orange and white versus yellow and white colors) and a more stable expression than its female parent. Further, ‘LAZPRT1703’ exhibits better branching than its female parent. When ‘LAZPRT1703’ is compared to Portulaca umbraticola Kunth ‘LAZPRT1607’, also referred to as “DUNA COLORBLAST Lemon” (unpatented), the varieties are similar in that they both exhibit a bicolored star flower pattern. However, ‘LAZPRT1703’ has yellow-orange and white colored flowers that have a stronger color contrast than the yellow and white colored flowers of ‘LAZPRT1607’. Further, ‘LAZPRT1703’ has orange colored stigmas and ‘LAZPRT1607’ has yellow colored stigmas. Also, the growth habit of ‘LAZPRT1703’ is more compact than that of ‘LAZPRT1607’.

The following traits distinguish ‘LAZPRT1703’ as a new and distinct cultivar from other portulaca varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Intense yellow-orange and white bicolored flower pattern     -   2. Compact growth habit with good vitality;     -   3. Freely branching with pinching not necessary; and     -   4. Excellent heat and drought tolerance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings taken at approximately 4 months of age illustrate the new variety, with the color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 shows a close-up view of a flower of the new variety;

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of flowers of the new variety;

FIG. 3 shows close-up view of a plant of the new variety; and

FIG. 4 shows a view of a plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of the new variety. The data which defines these characteristics were collected in Merano, Italy in the summer. Plants of the new variety were grown in Merano, Italy in a glass greenhouse under full natural light levels of 60-70 klx in 13 cm pots with a moderate watering regimen, an average day temperature of 18° C., and an average night temperature of 12° C. The color readings and measurements were taken indoors in a greenhouse under natural light on approximately 4 month old plants grown in containers. Color references are primarily to The 1995 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Plant type and use: Annual plant for bed and balcony use. -   Number of days to initiate roots (summer): 10 days at an average of     22° C. -   Number of days to produce a rooted young plant (summer): 24 days. -   Number of days to initiate roots (winter): 14 days at an average of     15° C. -   Number of days to produce a rooted young plant (winter): 28 days. -   Time to finish a flowering plant: Approximately 8-10 weeks. -   Overall plant shape and growth habit: Compact and creeping. -   Plant height: Approximately 10 cm. -   Plant diameter: Approximately 40 cm. -   Growth rate: Rapid. -   Plant vigor: High. -   Roots:     -   -   Density.—Moderate.         -   Branching.—Freely.         -   Thickness.—Thin.         -   Texture.—Fibrous.         -   Color.—Pale creamy white. -   Branching:     -   -   Habit.—Freely branching from every node without pinching             required.         -   Basal branching.—Present.         -   Lateral branches.—Number: Numerous. Length: About 20 cm.             Diameter: 3-4 mm. Internode length: 2-20 mm. -   Stem:     -   -   Appearance.—Almost round with lateral ridges.         -   Aspect/angle.—Monopodial.         -   Strength.—4 mm.         -   Outer color.—148B, with strong underlying betalain             coloration present.         -   Core color.—185B when cut open.         -   Bark color.—No bark formed.         -   Pubescence.—None present.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous; succulent. -   Foliage:     -   -   Appearance.—Alternate and simple.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Apex.—Younger leaves are mostly rounded; older leaves are             very rounded.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Length range.—18-25 mm.         -   Width range.—9-12 mm.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth, glabrous, succulent. Lower             surface: Pearly, glabrous, succulent.         -   Pubescence.—None present.         -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface:             148B. Mature leaves: Upper surface: Generally 147A; with             full sun exposure, a very slight shade of 185B betalain             coloration may be seen on the margins. Lower surface:             Generally 147B; with full sun exposure, a very slight shade             of 185B betalain coloration may be seen on the margins.         -   Veins.—Venation type: Pinnate, only midrib is visible.             Color: Upper surface: 147B. Lower surface: 146B.         -   Petiole.—Length: 1-2 mm. Diameter: 1-2 mm. Texture: Glabrous             and succulent on both surfaces. Color: Upper surface: 146B.             Lower surface: 146C.         -   Stipule.—None present.         -   Leaf axil.—Fine, yellowish-white hairs are present in the             axillary area that are 1-2 mm in length.

FLOWERS

-   Buds:     -   -   Number of buds per plant.—Numerous.         -   Number of buds per lateral stem.—Usually 3-5 are visible at             differing developmental stages.         -   Shape of individual bud.—Ovoid.         -   Length of individual bud.—Approximately 12 mm one day before             flowering.         -   Width of individual bud.—Approximately 5 mm one day before             flowering.         -   Bud color.—146B, with medium betalain coloration. -   Natural flowering season at specified location: From mid-spring to     mid-autumn in Merano, Italy. -   Time to flowering: 6-8 weeks after potting. -   Inflorescence number per lateral stem: One terminal inflorescence     per lateral stem; usually from 1 or 2, sometimes 3, open at one time     per mature lateral stem. -   Number of flowers per inflorescence: Recurrently flowering with     about 15-30 flowers per inflorescence in a single season. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Description.—Clustered cyme with sessile flowers.         -   Height.—Average of 2-3 cm.         -   Width.—Average of 5 cm. -   Flower:     -   -   Arrangement.—Terminal, surrounded by a whorl of usually 3             leaves.         -   Description.—Single, rotate flowers that face upward; not             persistent; self-cleaning.         -   Lastingness of an individual flower on the plant.—Ephemeral             flowers that last from about 1-3 days on the plant.         -   Lastingness of a cut flower.—Not applicable.         -   Shape.—Pentagonal, rotate, single.         -   Diameter.—About 35-45 mm.         -   Depth (height).—About 15-20 mm.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Fragrance.—None present. -   Petals:     -   -   Appearance.—Distinct and unfused.         -   Arrangement.—Whorl.         -   Number per flower.—5.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Apex.—Cordate.         -   Base.—Square.         -   Margin.—Generally entire; slightly serrate toward the apex.         -   Length.—About 20 mm.         -   Width.—About 16 mm.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth, glabrous.         -   Color.—Upper surface (when opening): 17A to 17B             (yellow-orange area) and 155A to 11D (white area). Lower             surface (when opening): 17B to 17C (yellow-orange area) and             155A to 11D (white area). Upper surface (fully opened): 17A             to 17B (yellow-orange area) and 155A to 11D (white area).             Lower surface (fully opened): 17B to 17C (yellow-orange             area) and 155A to 11D (white area). Both surfaces (shriveled             after opening): 25A to 28A. -   Petaloid description: None present. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number per flower.—Two.         -   Appearance.—Opposite.         -   Arrangement.—Free.         -   Shape.—Deltoid.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Length.—About 10 mm.         -   Width.—About 7 mm.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Smooth, glabrous. Lower surface:             Smooth, glabrous, leathery.         -   Mature color.—Upper surface: 147C. Lower surface: 146B, with             medium betalain present.         -   Calyx.—Appearance: Beaker-shaped with 2 lateral ridges.             Length: About 4 mm. Diameter: About 6 mm. -   Peduncle description: None present (sessile flowers). -   Pedicel description: None present. -   Reproductive organs: -   Stamens:     -   -   Number (per flower).—About 50-60.         -   Filament.—Length: About 5-6 mm. Color: Yellow.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Ellipsoid. Length: 1 mm. Color: 24A.         -   Pollen.—Color: 24A. Amount (generally): Average. -   Pistils:     -   -   Number.—One, parted into 5-6 tentacle-shaped stigmas.         -   Length.—About 10 mm.         -   Style.—Length: About 10 mm. Color: Orange.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Elongated and tentacle shaped. Color: Orange.         -   Ovaries.—Not visible.

SEEDS/FRUIT

-   Seeds:     -   -   Number per flower.—Up to approximately 40.         -   Diameter.—About 1 mm.         -   Color.—Greyish black. -   Fruit:     -   -   Quantity per lateral branch.—Each flower produces one seed             pod.         -   Amount of fruit per plant.—Numerous.         -   Length.—About 4 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 6 mm.         -   Color.—Light green to green.         -   Texture.—Succulent to leathery.         -   Taste.—Not applicable.         -   Number of days to ripening.—7-10.

GENERAL

-   Disease/pest resistance or susceptibility: None observed. -   Cold temperature tolerance: Tolerant to long term exposure of     approximately 10° C.; tolerant to short term exposure of     approximately 5° C. (under a dry water regimen). -   Hot temperature tolerance: Excellent, with no observed upper limit     to date. -   Drought tolerance: Excellent. -   Rain tolerance: Good, may suffer from prolonged water exposure in     soil with poor drainage. -   Wind tolerance: Good, quickly recovers from wind damage as new     flowers open on a daily basis. -   Keeping quality: The entire plant performs very well throughout an     entire summer with the continuous rotation of blooming ephemeral     flowers. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of portulaca plant, as is herein illustrated and described. 